Post-Retirement Hobby: “Grandchildren”
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
–General Douglas MacArthur
As far as I can tell, there are two reasons Realtors don’t seem to have retirement parties:
One. They never retire.
At least for some agents past a certain point, it’s a lifestyle as much as a livelihood.
If you don’t golf, travel, bird watch, or have other hobbies (grandchildren qualify) . . . you talk about real estate (that’s already the past time for half of all New Yorker’s).
Two. Referrals.
Successful agents who’ve been in the business for decades have valuable books of business (or, you certainly hope!).
Playing matchmaker between all those former clients and their future Realtors can translate into a lucrative stream of referral fees (less often, agents simply sell their book of business).
Head in the Game (or Not)
But that’s the case only if the Realtor remains (somewhat) active in the business: they stay abreast of industry trends, new technology, housing inventory, prevailing prices, etc.
Just as (if not more) important: they’re perceived to be active.
That is, people continue to associate them with real estate — and think of them as a resource for getting their housing needs met.
P.S.: Memo to clients: Don’t worry — Kaplans are squarely in category #1 (we never retire).
Even if that weren’t the case, after 13 years in real estate, I’m barely getting started!
